History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 45

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 45

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Nickerson came from the seaboard, and has filled numerous important positions, both on the salt and fresh waters. He was the Captain on board the steamers Eclipse, Bunker Hill, Ohio 2d, Saratoga, and others. Capt. Morris Hazard came from the East, having an experience on the rivers. He brought out the steamer Milwaukee, at Buffalo, in 1838, and afterward commanded the Constellation, Empire State, and also sailed the Monroe. In nearly all of these steamers he held more or less interest. He died at his residence in Buffalo in 1869. Capt. D. H. McBride died at Milwaukee in March, 1871, after a lengthy sojourn on the lakes. He had a large experience on both sail and steam craft. The schooner Havre was the last ves-

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sel he commanded, in 1842, and the propeller fronsides the last steamer. He was second mate of the steamer Erie, which was burned on Lake Erie in IS41. and narrowly escaped be ing counted among the lost Capt. William Hinton, for several years past pilot on the United States steamer Michigan, was first officer of the Erio when she was burned, and also met with a narrow escape. He has served long and faithfully on board steamers, and commanded the Daniel Webster after she was changed to the Black Dan, and knows all about it. Capt. James M. Averill, an old lake man, commanded the steamer Erie (the little) in 1810 or 1811, and subse- quently sail vessels-the Barton and others. Previous to this period, the Captain was several years at sea. He resided at Buffalo, Capt. Hober Squier resided at Grand Havou. Ile was connected with the steamers St. Louis, Empire City of Cleveland. propeller Oriental, and others, with all of which he leaves a bright record. Capt. JJacob Travers commanded the steamer Golden Gate, besides soveral sail craft; Capt. Benjamin A. Stannard, numerous sail eraft, but both have long since retired to a quiet life. Capt. John Caklwell, who died at Cleveland in 1864, commanded. in 1836 37 and 1835, the schooner Hudson, afterward the Henry Crevolin and Trenton. Subsequently for several years he commanded steamers to Lake Superior, and in the Northern Transportation Line. He was universally respected. Capt. B. G. Sweet resided at Toledo. He dated his lake career back to 1831, sailing the schooner N. (. Baldwin to 1837 -38, and took to steamboats somewhere about IS45. commanding the pro- peller Phoenix in FS16. burned on Lake Michigan in November of that year. He also sailed the Northerner, North Star. propeller Iron City, and others. He retired some fifteen years since. Capt. D. Howe, at one time quite prominent on the lakes, was a lower lake man, and sailed at one time the schooner Saratoga. In 1837. we find him in command of the steamer New York. which craft was bedecked with four pipes. In 1810, Capt. Howe was in command of the Ches- apeake, and in ESTI-65, the Empire, at that date, the mammoth of the lakes. He also sailed the steamer America, and others. He went to Vermont and there died, during the war. Capt J. C. Benjamin died at Prairieville, Mich., in 1861. Ho sailed the steamboat Bon. Franklin in 18-19, and previously sail vessels out of Cleveland.

PIONEER SKETCHES.

In this chapter the writer of the general history has essayed to make a collection of pio- neer biographical sketches which might escape the notice of his assistants to whom the com - pilation of the personal history of the county is intrusted. In the city and township histories, these biographical writers have, doubtless, left nothing undone to insure a full mention of the pioneers. To repeat their work in this chapter would be extravagant excess; but, as has been stated. the following liberal sketches are grouped together lest through any chance the names of men and women connected with the carly progress of St. Clair County should be omitted. Therefore, the reader must search the pages devoted to local history to learn more of the pio- neors, and the times in which they lived.

Charles Phillips came to St. Clair County about the year 1520, and settled at what now embraces the site of Marine City. His former residence was at Buffalo. N. Y., where he had invented the first machine for the manufacture of the eut nail. Before he had his machine patented, he took a brother-in-law into partnership with him, who by eraft succeeded in getting the patent in his own name, and thus defrauded Mr. Phillips out of the large revenues which he would have received. He was so grieved at this piece of deception that he left Buffalo and sought his fortunes in this then virgin country. On his arrival, he was the best mechanic in the Territory of Michigan. He afterward prodneed a munber of inventions, among which were a plow, water-wheel. etc.

Lorenzo M. Mason. a native of Vermont, came to Michigan in 1536. and settled at Port Huron. He studied law in Vermont, and was admitted to the bar in that State. On arriving in this county. he landed at Capt. Clark's dock, below St. Clair. le came to Michigan to practice his profession, and entered into partnership with Ira Porter, who arrived shortly after him: subsequently. Mr. Mason became a partner of J. B. Comstock. In 1844, he entered a law partnership with Bethuel C. Farrand, now the oldest member of the St. Clair bar. From the date of his coming to 18-12, he was an extensive purchaser of United States lands, which

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he disposed of on easy terms to bona fide settlers. His partnership with Mr. Farrand ended in 1850, yet he continued to practice law for a short time after. Mr. Mason's political life in this county is regarded in the political chapter. After giving up the practice of his profession, he devoted a great deal of his time to lumber, real estate and boats. In 1853, he moved to Detroit, and there connected himself with the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, and started a loan office. Mr. Mason was married to Miss Luce, of Port Huron, in 1939. His death took place at Detroit in 1874. The sad event brought sorrow into the homes of all who knew him, whether in the county -- to the progress of which he contributed so much -or in the city, which he adopted as a home, and whose society he aided in forming.

Joseph P. Mini or Minnie, was born at Point aux Trembles April 21, 1812. His parents were old settlers of St. Clair; the father was born in St. Clair County, and the mother born at Windsor, C. W. Mr. Minnie went to St. Louis, Mo., at an early day, and there learned the tailor's trade. Returning, he located at Monroe. There he married Miss Adelaide Le Duc, May 10, 1832. Four years later, Mr. Minnie brought his wife into the wild woods of St. Clair, and located where the old Mini homestead stands, on Military street. Throughont the general history of the county, the name of this pioneer occurs very often. He took a most important part in all the progressive enterprises of early days, and was among the most favorably known

pioneers of the State. Mr. Mini's children were Mary Ann, born March 1, 1833, at Monroe, was married to Horace Baker October 24. 1855; Joseph Theo. Standard, born at Monroe, Octo- ber 23, 1834, married Amanda Wilson Inne 16. 1857; Matilda Diana, born at Port Huron March 28, 1836, married Capt. A. W. Andrews December 19, 1865; Lewis Livingstone, born in Cottrellville February 14, 183S, died October 20, 1839; Adeline Josephine, born in Cottrellville July 11, 1839, died April 26, 1841; Josephine Adelaide, now Mrs. Post, born in Cottrellville October 25. 1841, married James Gibson July 30, 1860; Louis Napoleon, born at Port Huron October 14, 1843, married Miss Junks, of Ann Arbor, in 1871; Edmund, born at Port Huron December 25, 1845, married Nellie Buck in 1869; Ezekiel Abraham. born June 12, 1849, at Port Huron, resides on the old homestead.

John Miller was born at Sugar Loaf, Canada, February 1, 1813, and was sixty years of age at the time of his death, September 13, 1873. While he was still very young, his parents removed to Rochester, Oakland Co., Mich .. where he remained until nearly fifteen years of age, when he came with his older brother, Jacob, to St. Clair County. For a time, he was em- ployed at Wadham's, or in that vicinity. afterward going away for a year or two, and finally set- tling at Port Huron in 1832, when he entered the service of the Black River Steam Mill Com- pany as book-keeper and clerk. He was afterward made the company's agent. His services to the city are referred to in the city history.

Capt. Henry Ainsworth purchased the Bassenet farm at Point ans Trembles in 1820, and became a settler of the district constituted St. Clair County in 1821. He died in 1822, leaving the property to his son Henry Ainsworth, who may be termed a pioneer. The Cap. tain was considered a well-informed, enterprising man.

Jacob Peer settled in St. Clair County, in 1821. on lands which he purchased from Capt. Westbrook at Point ans Trembles. This tract was prairie or bottom lands, very fertile, and easily cultivated. Within four years, Mr. Peer had sixty acres under cultivation, and would have undoubtedly madle the largest and most beautiful farm in Michigan Territory had not the inun- dation of 1827 submerged the entire tract. He subsequently selected lands near Algonac, and transformed the forest into one of the richest farms in the county, together with planting an apple orchard of thirty-five acres. This pioneer died February 14, 1855, leaving the property to his son Jacob.

Francis Mann Vandeburgh was born in New York City August 27, 1838. In 1854. he removed to Port Huron. where he resided (with the exception of somewhat less than one year spent in Milwaukee) until he enlisted in the Tenth Michigan Infantry in December, 1861. He was mortally wounded near Nashville, Tenn., on the 10th of April, 1863. On the 18th he died. His father was present with him in his last hours, and brought his remains for inter- ment to Port Huron. The funeral sermon was delivered by Rev. J. S. Hoyt, of the Congrega- tional Church, May 3, 1863.

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Alexander La Forge, Jr., aged thirty-two years, son of Alexander La Forge, died at Hous- ton, Tex .. on the Ist of August. 1867, of yellow fever. The deceased served as a member of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry through all the war.

Mrs. Rachel Hartsutf died at her residence at Port Huron October 2. 1567. Mrs. Hartsuff was born in Tyre, Seneca Co., N. Y., in January, ISOS, and at the time of her death was nearly sixty years of age. With her husband. she left the State and removed to Livingston County in this State, in 1842, where they resided until 1863, when they removed to Port Huron.

John Wells, one of the oldest and most esteemed citizens, was born at New Milford, Conn .. June 19, 1799, and was, at the time of his death, September 25, 1567, in his sixty- ninth year. He came to Port Huron in IS3S, and soon after engaged in mercantile business. But for several years past, he, with his ouly surviving child, Frederick L., constituting the firm of John Wells & Son, were engaged in lumber operations.

Dr. A. E. Noble, one of the old residents of Port Huron, died December 29. 1870, aged seventy-five years. He was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y .. January 22, 1796. There be learned the jeweler's trade, and there also studied medicine under Dr. Stearns, of Pompey. N. Y. He entered on the practice of medicine at Hannibal. N. Y., moved to Palermo in 1827. and to Michigan in 1537. taking up his residence at Port Huron in 1838, The Doctor was a Jackson Democrat up to 1860, when he attached himself to the Republican party.

David Brockway died December 30, 1870, at the advanced age of ninety years. He was one of the first five men who voted the Whig ticket in St. Clair County.

Rev. Norman Nash was descended from Thomas Nash, who came from London in 1637, with his family, and settled in what is now New Haven, Conn. Norman was the youngest of thir- teen children. His father Ebenezer Nash. of Long Meadow, Mass .. married Susannah Hills. of North Bolton (now Vermont), Conn., and finally settled in Ellington, Conn., where Norman was born November 17, 1790. About 1820, he began his ministerial labors as missionary in Hampshire County, Va., having been ordained as an Episcopal Deacon by the Rt. Rev. Richard C. Moore, and labored so hard in that mountainous region that his health failed. He was afterward ordained by the Rt. Rov. William White, D. D., and preached in Huntingdon, Penn .. after which he entered upon missionary work at Green Bay. Wis., and was engaged teaching the Menominee Indians. From 1530 to 1531, he preached in Swedesboro, N. J. During these labors he assisted in the education of three of his nephews for the Episcopal ministry, who are located as follows: The Rev. Francis B. Nash, at Tiskilwa, Il .; the Rev. Rudolphus Nash, at Worthington, Ohio: the Rev. Norman Badger. now Chaplain in the United States Army.

In 1835 or 1836. Dr. Nash was appointed by President Jackson as a missionary and teacher among the Indians, then at Port Huron, the Chippewas and Ottawas, with a salary of $100 per year. In July. 1536. Dr. MeCoskry was made Bishop of the (then new) diocese of Michi gan, and owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding between the Indian agent. IL. R. School- craft, who was stationed at Mackinac, and the Bishop on the one side, and Dr. Nash upon the other, regarding the channel through which he was to receive his salary, he refused to receive from the Bishop the amount due him, and persisted in his refusal to the time of his death. The Indians were soon after removed to neutral ground, and the Doctor devoted himself, in an independent way, to the wants of the community. He had regular appointments for religious worship at Fort Gratiot, Clyde Mills and Sturges' schoolhouses, and also other places, at differ. ent times. He was universally beloved and respected by those who knew him, and was fre quently called upon to perform the marriage ceremon . and also to serve as a physician. Ho never afterward connected himself with the church, but marked out his own sphere of labor and followed it. This old resident died November 11. 1970.

James William Sanborn was born in Falmouth, near Portland. Me., in April, IS13, died April 13, 1870. Ho first came to Port Huron in 1835 in company with Abner Coburn (ince Governor of Maine), Charles Merrill, then of Portland. but now of Detroit, and Joseph L. Kelsey, at that time of Bangor. Maine, and now residing in Washington, Macomb County. The party came to this country to locate pine lands. Mr. Coburn, now among the wealthiest men of the country, was then a man of large means, and the party together located about 25,000 acres. Mr. Sanborn at that time was only twenty two years of age, and was left in charge of the purchase,

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Mr. Coburn and Mr. Merrill returning East, and Mr. Kelsey settling here. Mr. Merrill who was an uncle of Mr. Sanborn, soon after came West again and settled at Detroit. In 1836, Mr. Sanborn established himself at Metamora. Lapeer County, which point he made his residence for some years. The 25,000 acres of land which the party located were in this and Sanilac Counties, the whole being known as St. Clair County at that time. Two years afterward, in 1838. he was elected to the Legislature from Lapeer County, and in 1846 was again honored in this way. His knowledge of State lands made him a useful and efficient member, and as a legislator he evinced those same habits of industry and faithfulness which so eminently charac- terized him in his private business. In 1846, he removed to Detroit, remaining there, however, but a year, and coming to Port Huron in 1847. He entered into business at that time with his brother-in-law, Alva Sweetzer, the firm of Sweetzer & Sanborn being extensively engaged in selling goods and the lumber business. This partnership continned until the death of Mr. Sweetzer, in February, 1864, his widow then succeeding to his interest, and the firm being known since that time as James W. Sanborn & Co. In 1854, the firm abandoned the dry goods business (which was resumed in 1866 by Mr. Sanborn in partnership with his nephew James M Sanborn), and confined their attention principally to lumbering, though investing to some extent in real estate in this vicinity. At the time of his death, Mr. Sanborn's lumbering interests were very great. He had large interests on the Saginaw, the Muskegon and its tribu- taries, the Au Sable, Thunder Bay River, Pine River in the Upper Peninsula and the Cheboy- gan. His business career had been a very successful one to himself and those associated with him, and he had amassed a large estate, consisting principally of his lumber possessions, but also including considerable personal property and real estate in this city and Fort Gratiot. He was at the time of his death engaged in the dry goods trade with his nephew, James M. San- born, and also a partner in the banking house of John Johnston & Co. In politics, he always took an interest, being earnest in this, as he was in everything else. He was originally a Whig and was one of the foremost organizers of the Republican party. He was a delegate to the Jackson convention, and was on several occasions selected for official preferment. In 1854, he was elected to the State House of Representatives over W. T. Mitchell, after a spirited contest, and two years later, at a very close election, was defeated by John Miller. In 1858, he was elected Commissioner of the State Land Office, and during his term of office, along with Hon. N. G. Isbell, then Secretary of State, was very zealous in exposing the Mckinney defalcation, and unalterably opposed to covering up the matter, under the plea of party policy. He de- clined to have his name mentioned in connection with a nomination for Commissioner. He was an active worker in political campaigns, and no man in this region had been more liberal with his means for proper political purposes. Mr. Sanborn had been married three times, and left a wife and three children, one daughter by his first wife.

David M. Hagedon died at Port Huron December 24, 1871. Mr. Hagedon was born in the State of New York in 1804. About the year 1836, after his marriage, he moved to Ohio, where he resided until 1840, when he removed to Port Huron. Here he first engaged in the fishing business, starting a fishery on the shore of Lake Huron, about a mile above the light house. Soon afterward he engaged in the ship-building business, constructing one of the first vessels ever built here-the schooner Henry Hubbard. He afterward removed to Algonac, re-

maining there two years, engaged in vessel-building. Returning to Port Huron, he became employed most of the time in building or sailing vessels. His warfare with E. B. Ward, of Detroit, will be remembered by the older residents of Port Huron and other river towns. For some years he ran the propeller Belle between this city and Detroit, and the Detroit opposition did not succeed in getting him ont of their way until they had purchased his boat. During a part of the season of 1871. Capt. Hagedon ran the little ferry steamer Coral between Port Huron and Sarnia.

Elijah Burch, whose death occurred on the 20th of February, 1873, was born in Randolph, Vt., in 1791. In early life he was engaged in lumbering operations in Canada, and was there when the war of 1812 broke out. A proclamation being issued making all citizens of the United States then in Canada, who should not leave immediately, subjects of Great Britain, and liable to military duty, Mr. Burch was obliged to return to the United States. Afterward

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he returned to Canada, and was arrested on charge of desertion, the penalty being death. Dur- ing the progress of this trial an incident occurred which illustrates Mr. Burch's love and relish for a good joke. As he was entering the court house, he was accosted by a man who inquired if his name was Burch, and his residence Chatham. Being answered in the affirmative, the stranger asked some questions about the business of Chatham, and ended by inquiring what the character of its citizens was. To this Mr. Burch replied. with gravity, " Well, sir, I am the most respectable man in the place. and I am jos going into this court room to be tried for my life." The trial ended with the exhibition of the proclamation which forced him to leave Canada. Mr. Burch removed to Port Huron in the year 1834, and made the city his home from that time until the day of his death. He built, and for many years kept the Central Hotel, retaining its management until he finally retired from business. He was a brother of the mother of Allen and Henry Fish, and Mrs. Spalding, of this city, and was a descendant, on his mother's side, of the Kimballs of Vermont. In polities, he was a Democrat.

Mrs. Sarah Lnee, mother of Mrs. D. B. Harrington, died July 30, 1871. Mrs. Luce was one of the earliest settlers of Port Huron, having located here with her husband. Bartlett A. Lnee, and family, in the fall of 1536. She was born and married in Pittsfield, Mass. Her Inshand, who was one of the first men to engage in the humber business in this section. died in IS12. Five of her children still survive, as follows: Theodore and Benjamin Luce, of Alpona, (. H. Ince, of Chicago, Mrs. Harrington, of this city, and Mrs. L. M. Mason, of Detroit. Mrs. Donihue, another daughter, died in this city in 1855.

Mrs. Catherine McGowan, mother of Capt. Ed. McGowan, died at Port Huron, August 5, 1871. Her maiden name was Catherine Brogan, born in Donegal, Ireland, on the 12th day of May. 1765. At the time of her death, she had reached the age of one hundred and six years two months and twenty-five days. She was married at the age of twenty eight years, and left a widow in 1835, at Erie, Penn. In 1819. she came here, and has since resided with her son. She was the mother of twelve children, and up to the time of her death had always appeared hale and hearly.

William Brown died December 26, 1871. He was born June 22, 1751. in the city of De- troit, then owned and occupied by the British. He was brought up amid the privations and hardships of that early day: his playmates were Indian and French boys, and his playthings were his bow and arrow, the rifle or shot-grun and the tomahawk: the old gentleman spoke the three languages of that day-French. English and Indian -with perfect fluency. His parents moved to St. Clair County, township of Cottrellville, settling on the farm now known as the Inunby farm, where he lived until his eighteenth year, when he went sailing in okl Judge Abbot's employ, following that occupation for three years, He married the daughter of Capt. William Thorn in 1805, and moved on a piece of land which he purchased of the Indians, now known as the Sutherland farm, a half mile above the village of Courtright, opposite St. Clair, He lived there eight or nine years, pestered and harassed by the Indians continually Upon one occasion he had two yoke of oxen, two cows, three hogs and four sheep killed in one day by 500 Indian warriors, on their return after their defeat by Croghan at Sandusky, war of IS12. He suffered numerous dopredations of this kind, until the hostility of the aborigines enlminated in a determination at conneil to kill him and his family. because they thought him to be too much of a Chi-mook-he-mon. or Yankee; however, an old Indian friend of his, who was also friendly to the American cause, vame at night and acquainted him with the result of the council, and the fact that six Indians had been deputed to come the next afternoon to massnere the family. His friend urged him not to tell the Indians who had given him notice of their intentions, for, said the friend, " they will kill me if you do." Preparations were made for their reception. and they came just as he was notified, armed with tomahawks and scalping knives. He let them all in the house and passed them chairs in which to sit down: he then went to the opposite side of the house, took his gun in one hand and tomahawk and butcher. knife in the other, and said to them. " I know why you have come; you have come to kill me and my family." The chief inquired. " Who told you so ?" Mr. Brown replied. " The Great Spirit came in the form of a little bird and told me all you were going to do. but." said he. " the first man that raises his knife or tomahawk is a dead man; I can kill the whole of you

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before you leave the house." " Well," said the chief, " give us a sheep and a hog and we will go and have a feast, and be friends forever." He told them to go and take one sheep and a hog, which they did, and had a big time. He remained in Canada until 1814, the year Gen. Proctor issued his proclamation requiring all persons living in Canada to take the oath of alle- giance to the King of Great Britain or leave the country. Accordingly, he and two of his brothers- in-law picked up their movables (and that was not much) and moved to Detroit. Here he was employed by the United States Government to build a stockade fort, and after that was done was sent by Gen. Butler, commander of the post of Detroit, with forty men to drive sixty head of cattle around Lake St. Clair to Fort Gratiot. While he was engaged in this manner, his old Indian friend acting as his guide and spy, some six or seven hundred Indian warriors en- camped on Hog Island, now known as Belle Isle, held a big dance and council, at which time they determined to massacre all the men in the fort and then sack and burn the city. But the wife of the Indian ally went by night and gave the commander of the fort warning, through the aid of an interpreter, of the savages' intentions and their plan of attack, viz .: They were to all land on the American side, with their guns cut off short and concealed, together with their tomahawks, underneath their blankets; they would then commence a game of ball, as played by them. moving steadily toward the fort the while; then the ball was to be thrown into the fort, and the Indians rush in a body into the fort after it, when the war-whoop from the chief was to be the signal for the attack. They all landed, commenced their game of ball. moving toward the fort, exactly as the squaw had announced. The commanding officer let them ap- proach within eighty or one hundred rods of the fort, when he sent his interpreter to tell them not to come any nearer, or he would open fire upon them; so they halted and finally left the place. In 1815, Mr. Brown moved from Detroit to Macomb County, and commenced working Judge Clemens' farm, where Mt. Clemens now stands. In 1816, he bought a farm in the township of Cottrellville, and moved on it the same year; after he got his farm paid for and fixed up, he took out a tavern license and kept a public house for over thirty years, just below the village. He was appointed the first Coroner of St. Clair County, by Gov. Cass. and served under the appointment twelve years; when it became an elective office he was elected three times by the people. He was appointed Postmaster for this township, by President Jackson, and served as such under his administration, when he resigned During the year 1829, he built the first wood-dock that was constructed between Detroit and Marine City; he bought and sold wood in considerable quantities, supplying boats, so that his place of business became a regular stopping place for boats and vessels running between Buffalo and Chicago and other ports on the upper lakes. He kept a small quantity of goods for a number of years. and traded a good deal with the French and Indians. buying furs, etc. He lived on his farm until 1868, carrying it on himself, when he leased it, and lived around with his children thenceforth. He was the first subscriber to the Detroit Free Press from this county.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 45

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814